Apparatus for controlling a waving crossing signal



CROSSING SIGNAL ,2 Slfleezs-Sheet 2 APPARATUS Cal Patented Jan. 25, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Walter Dinnerville, Chicago,

Ill., assigner to Western Railroad Supply Company, Chicago,

Ill.

Application January 28, 1937, Serial No. 122,764

5 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for controlling a waving crossing signal such as is used at points where railroads and highways cross.

It is the object of rmy invention to provide improved apparatus for controlling such a crossing signal, some forms of which are generally referred to as magnetic auto flags.

My improvements in this control apparatus will be discerned by one skilled in this art, after a reading of the following specification, taken in connection with the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view, on a reduced scale, of the top part of a standard carrying a magnetic auto flag or waving banner light, the improved control apparatus being mounted above the banner per se.

Figure 2 is an elevational view, approximately full-size, ol part of the control apparatus.

Figure 3 is a side view, looking from left to right, of the upper portion of the unit selector parts shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cam device shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a part-sectional and part-elevational view through the control apparatus@ Figure 6 is a part-elevational and part-sectional view at the end of the control apparatus opposite that of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a diagram of a typical circuit used in the control apparatus.

In the various views, wherein like numbers refer to corresponding parts, I illustrates the upper end of a pipe standard usually used for supporting the entire signal mechanism. Carried on the upper part of the standard I is a frame-work 2 usually constructed of channel irons, within the connes of which the cables coming up through the standard I, and protected by metallic conduit, may be carried up to the control box or mechanism case 3 mounted on top of the frame-work 2. Above the mechanism case 3, and which may be mounted on the cover thereof, is an audible signal or bell 4. It may be noted in passing that, attached to the standard I, is a cross arm composed of two cross members 5 and 6 on which the words Railroad Crossing, in any suitable form, may be applied. Within the mechanism case or housing 3, are two spaced uprights orstandards 1 and 8 fas tened to a base portion 9 in any satisfactory `manner as by bolts I0.

Carried between the base portion 9 and the lower portions of the standards 1 and 8, are bearings Il and I2, preferably of the anti-friction type, ball bearings being indicated. The

bearing II supports a shaft end I3, while the bearing I2 supports a shaft end I4. On the shaft end I3 is fastened, by a set screw I5, an arm I 6 which extends vertically upward and terminates in a pair of adjacent cams or cam surfaces, one of which, I1, is located on the extreme end of the arm I6, while the other adjacent cam sur face I8 is on the upper inner face of the arm I6. 'Ihe function of these cams will be presently described.

Mounted on the standard 1, in any satisfactory manner as by screws I9, is a plate 20, preferably of good insulating material. Mounted on the upper end of the plate 20, as by screws 2l, is a T-shaped terminal composed of two parts-a horizontal member 22 and a vertical member 23 which is preferably set into a recess in the mem ber 22 in any satisfactory manner as by a screw going through the member 29 into the portion 23.

'I'he portion 23 is slotted to receive a flexible fi spring strip 24 which is mounted in edgewise position in the member 23. The spring 24 carries at its movable or shiftable end, a block 25 of suitable metal which is held to the spring 24 by means of a slot in which the end of the spring 24 is positioned, and a transverse screw 2E.

The block 25 has a hollow portion carrying a metallic plunger 21, preferably of some noncorrosive material, such as Monel metal. The plunger 21 has a notch 28 therein, within the confines of which a pin 29 is positioned. The pin 29 passes through the block 25 and acts as a stop for the plunger 21 which is normally urged outwardly from the block by the spring 3i). The

end of the plunger 21 is provided with a tip 3l of good wearing material, such as micarta or bakelite, adapted to ride on the surface of the cam I1.

The block 25 carries contacts 32 and 33 oppositely disposed. The contact 32 is adapted to cooperate with a contact 34 carried by a stiff terminal member 35 which is held to the plate 2l! by screws 36, one of which is equipped with lock nuts 31 to hold a circuit wire in engagement therewith. The member 35 is made stiff so that it will positively hold any adjusted position given it by bending. Thus there are no screw contacts to become loose or get out of adjustment. The contact 33 is adapted to cooperate with a contact 38 carried on a stiff terminal member 39 on the plate 20 carried by the screws 36, similar to those Which fasten the terminal 35 to the plate 20. The nuts 31 are carried by one of the screws to hold a. circuit wire in connection therewith. The member 39 being stiff,

like the member 35, will hold its adjusted position in a similar manner and for the same purpose.

Fastened to the plate 2t, as by screws 40 and 4i, the latter of which acts as a terminal for connecting a circuit wire thereto, is a resilient strip l2 which extends beyond the end of the plate 20 and carries a contact 43 adapted to cooperate with the contact 44 carried on a spring strip 45 which extends longitudinally of the plate, below and at right angles to the plane of the spring strip 24, and is held in position by and between the parts 22 and 23. The free end of the spring strip 45 carries a bumper 46 of any satisfactory material, such as ber or bakelite, held thereto in any satisfactory manner as by screw 4l and an upturned end 48 of the spring 45.

The shaft end Id carries a sector 4S having an arcuate surface 5l] adapted to be engaged by a brake shoe 5I controlled by a magnet 52 and spring 53 in a manner to be hereinafter described in connection with the operation of the control apparatus, but since the brake mechanism per se forms no part of my present invention, further description does not seem to be necessary.

Between the standards l and 8, is mounted for rotation with the shaft ends I3 and I4, a support member from which extend a pair of electromagnetic core members carrying coils or windings 55 and 55, having their respective pole shoes and 58 adapted to cooperate with the pole shoe 59 carried by an electro-magnet 60.

Extending downwardly through the housing of the control member 3, is a tubular member 6I supporting a banner, the major part of which is numbered 52, within which are located lamps which will be described in the operation of the apparatus. To the major part 62 is attached an auxiliary part 83 carrying a reserve lamp 80. The major part 52 of the banner is provided with lens 63 on opposite sides so that the banner can be seen from both directions. Likewise, the auxiliary part 83 carries lens 84 for the same purpose.

The bottom G4 of the housing carries oppositely disposed hollow members 65 having threaded shoulder portions going through the housing member 54- and held in place by nuts 66. Within the hollow portion of each member 55, is a spring Gl acting against the shoulder of a plunger 68, one end of which terminates in an enlarged portion 69 acting as a bumper. On the opposite end of the plunger G3 is a transverse pin 10 for preventing the plunger 68 from moving downwardly out of the member 65. These last-mentioned devices act as stops, under certain conditions of operation, for the tubular member 6I as the same moves from side to side in the manner to be hereinafter explained. A spring-mounted catch arm 'l i, indicated in Figures l and 5, is used for holding a cover plate over the control box 3.

Coming new to the operation of the control apparatus and referring to Figure 7, it may be said that the normal position of the banner 62 is the position indicated in the full lines in Figure l, and the control apparatus is in about the position indicated in Figures 5, S and '7, in which position the contacts 43 and 44 are closed by the cam surface i3 due to the cam surface I8 being in engagement with the brunper 46. At the same time, the other cam surface Il' is in engagement with the bumper 3i and the action will be such that one set of contacts, either 32 and 34, or 33 and 38, will be closed, but the current supply circuit will be opened at the relays I2 and 13. When, however, a train approaches the crossing from either direction, one of the relays, either 'I2 or 13, will be shunted by the wheels of the train, so that its armature is allowed to close the back contact, which will immediately apply the battery to the contacts on the terminal strip 14 and allow current to pass through different circuits in the control apparatus.

One of these circuits is through the brake coils 52, causing the shoe 5I to be released from the sector 50 against the tension of the spring 53. Another circuit can be readily traced through the relay 'I5 to a connecting stud I6 carried by a terminal strip 'I1 in the banner 62; and through a lamp I8 to a terminal I9 back to the negative side of the current supply which is indicated as a battery B. This will light the lamp 'I8 in the banner.

A further circuit will be traced from the positive side of the battery through the terminal 4I, onto the strip 42, contacts 43 and 44, and through the strip 45 to the block 22 and connecting stud 2| through the electro-magnet 60 back to the negative side of the battery B. Since current has been applied to the terminal block 22 through the strip 45, as just described, current will be applied to the spring strip 24 and from it to the shiftable block 25 and through one set of contacts 32-34 or 33--38, depending on which set of contacts is closed at the time.

Assuming that contacts 32 and 34 are closed as indicated in Figures 2 and 7, current will be conveyed through the electro-magnet 56, and the action will be such that the pole shoes 53 and 59 will act to attract each other, but since the electro-magnet 60 is stationary, the action will be to pull the electro-magnet 56 so that the pole shoe 58 passes under the pole shoe 59, swinging the banner to one of the dotted positions indicated in Figure l; for example, position 19.

Under normal operation, as the arm I6 is rotated, the cam surface I 8 will leave the bumper 46 and the contacts 43 and 44 are opened, but the oscillatable mechanism described continues in its pendulum-like movement, but not enough to cause the arm carrying the banner to strike one of the bumpers 69. On the return movement of the banner, the cam surface I1 will then act on and through the bumper 3l to move or shift the block 25 to close the contacts 33 and 38, which is done in each case before the contacts 43 and 44 are closed. The electro-magnet 55 will then be energized and the banner pulled in the opposite direction, and the cycles will be repeated, and the banner caused to swing in a manner similar to a pendulum as long as the track relays 'I2 and I3 convey current to the terminals on the terminal strip 14. In case an excessive voltage is applied to the coils operating the banner, the impulses applied to the tubular member 6I may cause it to strike the bumpers B9, thereby preventing shocks too severe on the banner and the lamps carried therein. A condenser C is bridged across the contacts 43 and 44 to absorb the spark which may be caused by the breaking of these contacts.

It may be noted that I have shown in Figure 7, a second relay l5' which is in parallel with the relay l5, and also a second lamp I8 which is in parallel with the lamp 18, the relays being in series with their respective lamps. This duplicate arrangement of relay and lamp is merely to give an additional factor' of safety to the operation of the system. In addition, a reserve lamp is used in the auxiliary part 83 of the banner so that if one of the lamps, for example 18, should become broken or burned out, or otherwise disabled, the relay 15 will not be energized, but its contact 8| will be closed through a resistance B2 which is the equivalent of the winding in the relay 15, thereby causing the reserve lamp 8B of the banner to be lighted.

Another circuit which is also established by the initial operation of one of the relays 12 andy 13, is that through an alarm bell 4. Usually the relays 12 and 13 are interlocked on the operation of one of them so that the back contact of the other relay is mechanically locked open. This means that when the train, crosses the insulated rail joints at the highway, the first relay is actuated, opening its back contact, but the back contact of the second relay cannot be made even though the train is now in the second circuit or block, thus deenergizing the winding of the second relay because of this mechanical locking. The signal is turned off when the train crosses the highway, and when the train leaves the second rail circ-uit, the armature of the second relay picks up, and the locking device is restored to normal. The method of starting and stopping the signal, however, is not an important matter in the present case as the signal may be operated through a switch manipulated by a watchman in a tower, or by relays connected in any manner required by the train operations on single or multiple track railroads.

Because of the fact that certain parts of the control apparatus shown` and described herein are old, the claims will only be directed to the new and improved features whichprovide more eilicient and positive operation.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. As part of a control apparatus for a waving crossing signal, a mounting carrying in insulating relationship a pair of relatively xed contacts, a laterally shiftable member positioned between said contacts and carrying contacts to cooperate with the relatively fixed contacts to control circuits through electro-magnets associated with said signal, a yieldingly mounted plunger carried in the end of said shiftable member and having a wearing end thereof extending beyond said member so as to be engaged by a cam surface on a part of a signal mechanism, a member carrying a contact behind said shiftable member, a spring member extending between the last mentioned member and the shiftable member and carrying a contact and having a bumper adapted to be engaged by another cam surface on a part of the signal mechanism to bring the last two mentioned contacts into engagement for the purpose described.

2. As part of a control apparatus for a waving crossing signal, a unitary structure comprising a plate of insulating material, a metallic terminal mounted on one end of the plate, a at spring member carried by the terminal in edgewise position, a metallic block mounted on the free end of said spring, a plunger yieldingly carried by said block and having an end extending away from the block to be engaged by a cam, contacts carried by said block on opposite sides thereof, a relatively fixed contact carried by the plate on each side of said block for cooperation with its` contacts, a second flat spring mounted on said metallic terminal and extending below the first mentioned spring member and having a bumper on its free end to be engaged by a second cam and also carrying a contact, the planes of both said springs being at right angles to each other, a contact member on the plate mounted behind both of said spring members and having a contact to cooperate with the contact on said second mentioned spring.

3. As part of a control apparatus for a waving crossing signal, a unitary structure comprising a plate of insulating material, a metallic terminal mounted on one end of the plate, a flat spring member carried by the terminal in edgewise position, a block mounted on the free end of said spring and having contacts on two of its opposite sides electrically connected to said metallic terminal, a plunger yieldingly carried in the block and having an end extending so as to be engaged by a cam, rigid terminals carried by the plate on opposite sides of the block and having xed contacts positioned to cooperate with the contacts carried by said block, a second at spring member connected to said metallic terminal and extending below the rst mentioned at spring and beyond said block and having a bumper on its free end to be engaged by a second cam and also having a contact, a contact member mounted on the plate behind both of said spring members and having a contact to cooperate with the contact on said second mentioned spring.

4. As part of a control apparatus for a Waving crossing signal, a unitary structure comprising a plate of insulating material, a metallic terminal mounted at one end of the plate, a pair of flat springs mounted on said terminal in spaced relaingly mounted bumper, both said bumpers adapti ed to be engaged by the same member having independent cam surfaces for engaging said respective bumpers, a pair of rigidly mounted contacts carried on the plate in position to cooperate with said oppositely disposed contacts, a contact mounted directly on the plate behind both said spring members for cooperation with the said single contact.

5. A control unit for the purpose described including a plate preferably of insulating material,

three resilient spring type members mounted on the plate in spaced relation, the one closest to the plate having means for making electrical connection thereto and a contact of suitable material, the middle spring having a contact to cooperate with the iirst mentioned contact and also a bumper adapted to be engaged by a. cam to close said contacts, the outer spring member having a block carrying contacts on two opposed sides and at least in electrical engagement with the spring member, a plunger yieldingly held in said block and having a bumper extending to be engaged by a cam to shift said block sidewise, a pair of rigidly mounted circuit contacts on the plate, one on each side oi said block to be alternately engaged by the contacts thereon, the middle and outer springs being at least electrically connected together for the purpose described with means for making circuit connection thereto.

WALTER DINNERVILLE. 

